Author Topic: Restoring a Window Card (Read 7257 times)

rdavey26 · « **on:** January 07, 2015, 03:44:13 AM »

I have come across a window card that has caught my eye. However it needs at least half of it re-built. Can this be done or is it even worth it? What are your thoughts all?

Harry Caul · « **Reply #1 on:** January 07, 2015, 09:05:00 AM »

Quote from: rdavey26 on January 07, 2015, 03:44:13 AM

I have come across a window card that has caught my eye. However it needs at least half of it re-built. Can this be done or is it even worth it? What are your thoughts all?

Are there high res images of complete examples floating around? If yes, then cost is your only real obstacle. The restorers will find a junk window card with similar paper and of a similar vintage and sand off the artwork. They'll patch what's missing on your card and then re-create the artwork. You should ask the restorer for prior examples of re-created art –- while most are fairly competent with linen backing, bleaching, etc., not everyone has the same proficiency with freehand design. You need a true artist for that! Now, if you have and only – known copy, then you need to go track down a press book if one even exists. Otherwise, you're probably screwed.

So what's the poster?

jayn_j · « **Reply #2 on:** January 07, 2015, 09:51:50 AM »

I would also make the observation that it is almost always cheaper to search out a complete poster than to try and restore one. I am assuming that this isn't some one of a kind item.

I would say go ahead and get it, but holed off on the restoration. Having it will allow you to wait for the right one to come along and then you can sell the poor condition one to another sucker^h^h^h^h^h^h collector

Ari · « **Reply #3 on:** January 07, 2015, 10:06:42 AM »

yeah, can't answer without some idea on what it is or how rare at least.

CSM · « **Reply #4 on:** January 07, 2015, 12:21:53 PM »

Better off just putting it back in the picture frame when whence it likely came

rdavey26 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 07, 2015, 12:58:34 PM »

There are examples floating around of the image. So it could be recreated. A complete one would be rather expensive to buy.

erik1925 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 19, 2015, 12:59:05 PM »

Sounds like an interesting piece, Randy.

It's about the proficiency and and talent of the restorer-- his artistry, as Matt mentioned and which is so crucial.

I also have a couple partial WC that I've been wanting to get restored.

I was leaning towards one guy, but have since decided to do further research and look around, checking prices, artistry and previous work done. Like yours, either one of the 2 cards I have would be rather pricey to buy complete and very few examples seem to exist of either.

Keep us posted on what you decide. It sounds like a winner card, too!

erik1925 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 15, 2015, 01:12:33 PM »

Randy,

Did you ever go for that partial WC that you saw?

Or did you let it continue to float on by?

If so, it would be vital to be sure it is done/restored properly. And if vintage, restored using comparable vintage card stock (an old stripped or sanded down card) along with getting the best hi res image you can find, as reference (and perhaps that being the base material for its re-creation), as was mentioned above.

Good luck, if you did go for it!

rdavey26 · « **Reply #8 on:** June 26, 2015, 02:07:12 PM »

Yes I picked it up for $25 bucks. The only other place I have seen a complete one is on HA and it sold for A lot of money.

erik1925 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 26, 2015, 02:16:31 PM »

Quote from: rdavey26 on June 26, 2015, 02:07:12 PM

Yes I picked it up for $25 bucks. The only other place I have seen a complete one is on HA and it sold for A lot of money.

Nice Score, Randy!!!

Harry Caul · « **Reply #10 on:** June 26, 2015, 03:02:36 PM »

And now that you own it, care to share the title?

110x75 · « **Reply #11 on:** June 26, 2015, 03:13:50 PM »

rdavey26 · « **Reply #12 on:** June 26, 2015, 03:18:04 PM »

I guess I can post a photo of it. It has been removed from the frame and the frame was tossed in the garbage as it was in poor shape. But here she is and it only cost me $25

Harry Caul · « **Reply #13 on:** June 26, 2015, 03:21:49 PM »

Wonderful poster. The restorer certainly has their work cutout for them!

rdavey26 · « **Reply #14 on:** June 26, 2015, 03:24:19 PM »

Yes they do. It is going to cost around $500 to have it restored properly.

erik1925 · « **Reply #15 on:** June 26, 2015, 03:36:41 PM »

Quote from: rdavey26 on June 26, 2015, 03:18:04 PM

I guess I can post a photo of it. It has been removed from the frame and the frame was tossed in the garbage as it was in poor shape. But here she is and it only cost me $25

Nice, Randy!!!

Harry Caul · « **Reply #16 on:** June 26, 2015, 03:51:55 PM »

Quote from: rdavey26 on June 26, 2015, 03:24:19 PM

Yes they do. It is going to cost around $500 to have it restored properly.

Not sure who you are looking at to do the work, but Mario quoted me about $400 on a similar amount of restoration/recreation on a different WC. Might be worth looking into...

rdavey26 · « **Reply #17 on:** June 26, 2015, 03:57:22 PM »

That is who I contacted. He said about $450 but I always round up to give me more of an actual figure to work with. I would hate to be quoted $450 and it costing more than that. Part of the reason I wound up. Did you even get it restored Harry?? If so how good was the work done to it?

erik1925 · « **Reply #18 on:** June 26, 2015, 04:29:21 PM »

I'm sure he will do a very fine job for you, Randy.

CSM · « **Reply #19 on:** June 26, 2015, 04:47:44 PM »

Quote from: rdavey26 on June 26, 2015, 03:24:19 PM

Yes they do. It is going to cost around $500 to have it restored properly.

Wow I am very impressed with myself! Please have a look at our PM conversation Randy

rdavey26 · « **Reply #20 on:** June 26, 2015, 05:49:52 PM »

Pm sent Chris.

Harry Caul · « **Reply #21 on:** June 26, 2015, 10:51:54 PM »

I'm in a holding pattern on two different heavily trimmed WCs... but I have had other extensive jobs done by Mario and he has never failed to impress (me).

rdavey26 · « **Reply #22 on:** June 26, 2015, 11:14:17 PM »

Awesome I will probably end up sending it to him once I have the funds.

erik1925 · « **Reply #23 on:** June 26, 2015, 11:56:58 PM »

Quote from: rdavey26 on June 26, 2015, 11:14:17 PM

Awesome I will probably end up sending it to him once I have the funds.

Good call, Randy.

erik1925 · « **Reply #24 on:** April 30, 2016, 12:40:36 PM »

Randy, is this WC still a work in progress or on hold for the moment?

Know, too, (if the restore is on hold), that Mario will do a wonderful job. And he wont do the work, using materials such as newly manufactured card backing or worse, that modern, "newfangled" material called chip board.

He will use an original, vintage WC from the same decade to build the rest of the card with.

(He explained all of this to me when we met & spoke, so it came straight from the man, himself).

News:

Author Topic: Restoring a Window Card (Read 7257 times)